Why? It’s definitely not a cost-saving measure. School administrators agree that the cost to schools for providing this service to teachers is neglible. No, this is simply a way to hurt the teachers’ union. Republican Representative Joe Haveman of Holland puts it this way:

I don’t understand how giving people money back in their paycheck is a bad thing..It makes them more accountable. It’s better if they have to make that conscious decision on a monthly basis [to pay their union dues.]

Let’s not kid ourselves: it also makes it WAY more inconvenient and more likely that teachers will either forget or simply quit doing it because of the inconvenience. Kinda like a donation to your favorite charity. For example, each month I have a little bit taken from my paycheck for the United Way. If I had to write a check each month, particularly in this day and age when I pay all of my bills online, I’d frankly probably forget to do it. It would literally be the only check I have to write each month.

According to GONGWER News Service, Democratic Representative Lisa Brown of West Bloomfield asked Mr. Haveman if the state should remove the option legislators have to donate a portion of their paycheck to charitable organizations, or if he just had a problem with automatic deductions going to unions. It’s a fair question given that this is a convenience provided to legislators. His response? He said he hadn’t thought of that (but would be open to such an amendment.)

I’m sure we’ll have a bill before the Legislature any day now prohibiting the state from deducting charitable donations from the lawmakers’ paychecks.

Because, as everyone knows, it’s better if they have to make that conscious decision on a monthly basis.

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Just when I thought they’ve outdone themselves, they come up with yet another diabolical, iron-clad way to slice and dice us and rub salt in our wounds. There is no end to their evil. I keep having to pinch myself to remember this is reality and not my worst nightmare.

And to think these people were elected by voters who still refuse to see anything wrong with what they’re doing. Makes me crazy, I tell you…

Verjer

Ramona you are so right. The Republicans are just plain mean!!! They are out to destroy the middle class and the school employees union. I don’t see them attack big business but they are sure attacking the rights of teachers and other public employees! I hope people wake up when the next election takes place.

You are just upset that this means people may opt out of paying their dues and decide the union isn’t for them. This is why I am totally for ending ALL income tax withholding..When people have to write a big check every quarter like those of us who are self employed, there will be a groundswell for cutting tax rates in half!

Tony Trupiano is the host of the online radio program The Voice of the People, M-F, 9 a.m.-noon . He is the author of two books and has been part of the progressive media landscape for 20+ years. Follow him on Twitter @tonytrupiano.